This time around, it was Cid that found Kunsel. The pilot slumped down opposite the Soldier, chewing his cigarette and sulking. It took some time before Kunsel had composed himself enough to ask.

"I thought you liked Zack. I thought you said everyone liked Zack…"

"Yeah, well, that's the bloody problem right there, ain't it?!" Cid exploded. "Everyone likes Zack! Zack likes everyone! He goes around ShinRa faster than the flue!"

Kunsel managed to stifle a grin.

"I suppose that is a problem…"

"It is if yer looking fer somethin' remindin' of a stable relationship." Cid grumbled, but sighed. "He's a great guy, really. Just a bit…"

"Easy to distract?"

"Yeah, that's one way of puttin' it." Cid groaned and leaned back in his chair. "I guess that's it fer me. It's true what they say – all the good guys are married, buried or straight. With my luck he's probably buried."

"Well, you sure are picky. You want someone as Cultural as Genesis, as loyal as Tseng, as nice as Reeve, as beautiful as Sephiroth and as lovable as Zack. Not many of those around."

"Yeah well, it can't be blamed on ya not tryin' that's fer sure. Look, I'm sorry I called ya a Turk and all that." Cid smiled wryly. "Ya really have been a good friend, stickin' by me through all this. Whenever ya want that vacation trip, it's yers."

Kunsel sat back, smiling.

"How about next week? I've got a nice room rented at Costa del Sol and it's wonderful there at this time of year."

"Sure, I'll get ya there. Might take out some of my own vacation as well. Gods knows I need it. So, who are ya bringin'?"

Kunsel coughed a bit, his cheeks suddenly red.

"Well…how about you?"

"Me?!" Cid almost fell off the chair in surprise.

Kunsel smiled hesitantly.

"Well, I know for a fact that you are not dating anyone at the moment."

Cid could just stare at him; he hadn't seen this coming at all. But what the hell, why not? It wasn't as if it could get worse than any of the dating he'd done so far.

"Sure." He grinned. "On one condition."

"Which is?" Kunsel smiled back.

"Admit yer a Turk."

Laughing, Kunsel threw up his arms.

"Sure. Whatever. I'm a Turk."

"A sneaky Turk." Cid said solemnly.

"That to." Kunsel smiled.

"A sneaky, manipulative, underhanded…" Cid started, but was interrupted by more laughing.

"What do you say we go somewhere where we can finish this discussion…orally?" Kunsel smiled.

"I thought…oh. Right." As Cid let himself be led along he couldn't help but grinning. *So maybe I should add 'clever as Kunsel' on my list? 'Cause even if this won't work out, I've learned one lesson.

Bless those Turks.*

The End